4E. Air Force Structure Flashcards
Direct Reporting Units (DRUs)
Key Facts:
1, Does not fit into any of the MAJCOMs
2. Same admin & org responsibilities
Command:
1. Directly subordinate to CSAF
Units:
- AF District of Washington
- USAF Academy
Beta Flights
Definition:
1. No internal subdivision within a squadron
Numbered or Named Flights
Definition:
1. Incorporates smaller elements into an organized unit
Air Force District of Washington
Key Facts:
1. Reactivated in 2005
Objectives:
- Align the AF command structure in the National Capital Region
- Improve AF support to Joint Force Headquarters
- Designate a single voice for AF cross service issues in National Capital region
Major Commands (MAJCOMs)
Organization:
- Functional CONUS
- Geographic OCONUS
Mission:
- Represents major AF subdivision
- Specific portion of AF mission
Command:
1. Subordinate to Headquarters AF
Specialized Types:
- Lead MAJCOM
- Joint MAJCOM (can be both)
Field Operating Agencies (FOAs)
Units:
- AF Personnel Center (AFPC)
- AF Office of Special Investigations (OSI)
Command:
1. Subordinate to Headquarters AF Functional Manager
Operational Command
Forces:
1. Strategic, tactical, space, defense forces, or flying forces
Lead MAJCOM
Key Facts:
- Consolidates responsibilities for a particular function
- Supports the entire AF
Component MAJCOM
Key Facts:
1. USAF component to a unified combatant command
Air Combat Command (ACC)
Headquarters:
1. Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA
Activated:
1. 1 June 1992
Mission:
- Provider of air combat forces
- Operating fighter, bomber, recon, battle-management, & electronic-combat aircraft
Air Mobility Command (AMC)
Headquarters:
1. Scott AF Base, Illinois
Activated:
1. 1 Jun 1992
Mission:
- AF component to US Transportation Command
- Airlift & aerial refueling
- Provide global air mobility, the right effects, right place, right time
Pacific Air Forces (PACAF)
Activated:
1. 3 Aug 1944
Headquarters:
1. Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
AOR:
- 60% of world’s population
- 36 nations
- 52% of Earth’s surface
United States Air Forces in Europe & Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA)
Activated:
1. 20 April 2012
Headquarters:
1. Ramstein Air Base, Germany
Organization:
- Combined
- Provides two separate combatant commands
AOR:
- Europe
- Parts of Asia
- All of Africa, except Egypt
Mission:
1. NATO objectives
Air Staff
Responsibilities:
- Identified by office symbol codes
- Based on function
Function:
1. Assist SECAF
Office Symbol Codes: A1 - Manpower, Personnel, Services A2 - Intel, Surveillance, Recon A3 - Ops A4 - Logistics, Engineering, Force Protection
Command:
1. Subordinate to CSAF
Air Education & Training Command (AETC)
Activated:
1. 1 July 1993
Headquarters:
1. Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, TX
Mission:
1. Recruit, train, & educate airmen
Air Force Material Command (AFMC)
Activated:
1 July 1992
Headquarters:
1. Wright Patterson AF Base, Ohio
Mission:
1. Equip the AF for world-dominant airpower
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)
Activated:
22 May 1990
Headquarters:
Hurlburt Field, FL
Mission:
- Provide specialized airpower
- Anytime, any place, anywhere
Training:
AF Special Operation Air Warfare Center
AF Global Strike Command (AFGSC)
Activated:
7 Aug 2009
Headquarters:
Barksdale AF Base, LA
Organization:
Service component of US Strategic Command
Mission:
- Provide strategic deterrence
- Global strike
- Combat support
Responsibilities:
- Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Wings
- AF Bomber Force
- Long-Range Strike Bomber Program
- Nuclear Enterprise
AF Reserve Command (AFRC)
Activated:
17 Feb 1997
Headquarters:
Robin AF Base, GA
Mission:
- Provide combat ready forces to fly, fight, & win
- Organizes, trains, equips all AF Reserve units
Numbered Air Force
Command:
1. Directly under a MAJCOM
Units:
- Component
- Non-Component
Key Facts:
- Provides intermediate level operational leadership
- Do not have complete functional staffs
Chief of Staff of the Air Force (CSAF)
Key Facts:
- Reports to SECAF
- Presides over Air Staff
- AF General Officer
- Appointed by POTUS/Senate
Non-Component Numbered Air Force (NAF)
Manpower Limit:
99
Unit Total:
12
Secretary of the Air Force (SECAF)
Command:
1. Subordinate to SECDEF
Function:
1. Head of Dept of AF
Appointed By:
- POTUS
- Senate
Component Numbered Air Force (C-NAF)
Nickname:
Warfighting Headquarters
Mission:
- Support Joint Force Commanders
- Support unified combatant commander
- Perform operational-level warfighting mission
Unit Total:
10
Air Force Organizational Structure
- MAJCOM
- Numbered Air Force
- Wing
- Group
- Squadron
- Flight
- Element
Air Force Wing
Types:
- Air Base Wing (support function)
- Operational Wing
- Specialized Mission Wing
Minimum Population:
1,000
Units:
- Tenant Unit
- Host Command
Air Force Capabilities
- Rapid Global Mobility
- Agile Combat Support
- Global Attack
Field Units
Definition:
1. Component organizations
Dependent Group
Definition:
1. Mission, logistics, support, medical, or large functional unit
Independent Group
Definition:
- Same functions and responsibilities as Wing
- Scope & size do not warrant wing-level designation
Headquarters Air Force (HAF)
Entities:
- SECAF
- Air Staff
- Space Staff
Air Force Group
Minimum Population:
400
Air Force Squadron
Definition:
1. Basic unit, the nuclei, & basic building block of AF
Squadron Types:
- Task Unit
- Mission Unit
Minimum Population:
35
Department of the Air Force (DAF)
Entities:
- HAF & field units
- Headquarters Space Force & field units
Air Force Alpha Flights
Definition:
1. Composed of several elements that perform identical missions
Title 10 US Code, Armed Forces
Purpose:
1. Provide specific duties, responsibilities, and legal obligations of the Dept of the AF
Air Force Functional Flights
Definition:
- Usually part of a squadron
- Composed of elements that perform specific missions